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Difco™ Campylobacter Agar Base, when supplemented with blood and antimicrobial agents, is used for the primary isolation and cultivation of Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni from human fecal specimens. Difco Camplylobacter Antimicrobic Supplement Skirrow and Difco Campylobacter Antimicrobic Supplement Blaser are used for preparing Campylobacter Agar according to the formulations of Skirrow¹ and Blaser et al.^2,3

In 1972, Dekeyser et al. reported that C. jejuni was isolated from the feces of patients with diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis using a filtration technique and a blood-containing selective medium with antimicrobics to suppress the normal enteric flora.⁴ Subsequently, Skirrow and other investigators reported similar blood-based selective media that differed in the numbers and types of antimicrobics.^1-3,5,6

In 1978, Blaser et al. reported success in isolating C. jejuni with a medium containing four antimicrobics incorporated into Brucella Agar supplemented with 10% defibrinated sheep blood.^2,3 Subsequently, cephalothin was incorporated to increase its ability to inhibit the normal bacterial flora associated with fecal specimens.⁵

1. Examine the agar base for color and texture. The powder should be beige, free-flowing and homogeneous.

2. Determine the pH of the medium after preparation and cooling to 25°C. The pH should be 7.4 ± 0.2.

3. Examine the lyophilized and rehydrated antimicrobic supplement for evidence of deterioration as described under "Product Deterioration."

4. Check the performance of the base and antimicrobic supplement by testing in the complete medium. Plates should be inoculated with approximately 100-1,000 colony forming units (CFUs) of the test cultures and incubated at 42°C in a reduced oxygen atmosphere. Examine plates for growth after 24 and 48 h incubation.

For Laboratory Use

Use aseptic technique in rehydrating the supplements and in adding the supplements to the basal medium.

Follow proper, established laboratory procedures in handling and disposing of infectious materials.